7 Fayette elementary schools to get FluMist

Tue, 09/29/2009 - 3:35pm
By: Ben Nelms

The FluMist seasonal flu vaccine is coming to seven Fayette County elementary schools Oct. 19-22. Parental consent forms are required to have the vaccine administered. The Flu-Free Schools vaccination program is a pilot program sponsored by the state District 4 Health Department.

A total of 13 school systems in the multi-county public health district are participating in the program. Due to the large participation, the number of elementary school sites in each county is limited, said school system Public Information Officer Melinda Berry-Dreisbach.

Fayette chose schools that would represent the geographical regions of the county and those that had previous experience in conducting in-school clinics, she said.

Berry-Dreisbach said informational packets were sent home last week with students at Huddleston, North Fayette, Peachtree City, Robert J. Burch, Sara Harp Minter, Peeples and Spring Hill elementary schools.

The FluMist is sprayed in the nose, where the flu enters the body, and is designed to stimulate the body’s natural defenses without causing disease. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu.

The purpose of the Flu-Free Schools program is to keep students and teachers healthy and in school by reducing the number of days missed from school and work, Berry-Dreisbach said. If the pilot is successful, the program may be offered to more schools next year, according School Health Specialist Debbie King.

“This is a closed program for only the participating schools’ students and staff. It is not open to the general public,” Berry-Dreisbach said.

Parents must sign a consent form and submit the fee amount in order for their child to receive the vaccine. The fee is $25 for those without insurance and $35 for those with insurance.

A clinic will be set up at each school and staffed by medical professionals who will administer the nasal-mist vaccine. Clinics will be conducted during school hours. Participating students will be out of their classrooms, accompanied by their teachers, for 5-10 minutes.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children ages 6 months to 18 years receive an annual seasonal flu vaccination.

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redrooster's picture
Submitted by redrooster on Thu, 10/01/2009 - 1:31pm.

When pigs fly


Submitted by promethus6 on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 11:45am.

Took the boomerang that only has bridge insurance with $1000 deductable to a local drugstore and received shot for $25 plus got a coupon book.

Submitted by normal on Tue, 09/29/2009 - 8:36pm.

So if you are not insured you pay $25. If you have insurance you pay $35. Would someone explain that one.

secret squirrel's picture
Submitted by secret squirrel on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 6:34am.

It's not much of a secret that those without insurance are most likely to be unemployed or employed in very low-paying positions. Generally, those with health insurance are higher paid and in more secure positions than those without. The discrepancy in fees is to provide greater equalization of the burden of providing the vaccine. As stated below, you can always feel free to exercise your free market right to get the vaccine elsewhere.


dawn69's picture
Submitted by dawn69 on Tue, 09/29/2009 - 10:46pm.

I think I'll take my kids to their pediatrician where my insurance co-pay is $30.


Submitted by hijoshm on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 9:27am.

I called our insurance company and asked if it is considered preventative. They said to have my pediatrician submit it as such and there would be no cost! Smiling

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